An “Ambalama” can be described as one of an important public building in ancient Sri Lanka. There were series of “Ambalama(s)” located along the roads, being land marks & resting places for travelers for free. It was a convenience and comfort to people traveling far; going on pilgrimages or visiting relatives by foot or cart. Usually “Ambalam” were built in a chosen spots such as by the side of a paddy field or stream. Facility of portable water was provided with a “pin-thaliya” (a pot of water) or a well.

Usually “Ambalam” were built in a chosen spots such as by the side of a paddy field or stream

Commonly “Ambalam” were simple buildings built by villagers on co-operative basis. They were consisted with a hipped type tiled roof on few timber or masonry columns. Perimeter walls were short and formed a seat for resting known as “Pila”.

Few were built totally with timber structures. In such a case, the Ambalama was built on four rock boulders to prevent from termite attacks. Panavitiya (or Panapitiya) was one of the said few.

Direction…

Chamila(My wife) & myself paid a short visit to Panavitiya few months ago. Finding the Panavitiya Ambalama was not much difficult although there was no sign board on the main road (Negombo-Kurunegala). The turn-off was done at Matiyagane; a small junction met before reaching Narammala town. The by-road was lead to Kadahapola junction. (Matiyagana School was also accessed by the same). Having traveling another few kilometers; we found another junction where the first sign board was located and we turned left again.

we reached the Archeological site passing a temple

“ Sri Lanka Thilakaramaya “ the temple @ Panavitiya

With nearly 4km drive from the main road, we reached the Archeological site passing a temple. In the first moment, having seen the outside appearance of the Ambalama, I was also confused as like as most of the previous travelers, whether we had reached the correct place. But once we entered in to the shelter, we could discover the wonder of wood carvings that Panavitiya was so famous for.

The boutique located in front of the Archeological site	Little confused having seen the outside appearance of the Ambalama
wonder of wood carvings	Inside view
Beams, rafters & ridge plate	A dancer?
Column heads & wall plates	Another column

The Panapitiya Ambalama is renovated and restored by the Department of Archeology. It is believed that Panavitiya Ambalama is one of the series of resting places located along the ancient foot path existed from Dambadeniya to Yapahuwa, via Kurunegala.

Might be the latest version of the said ancient foot path.

Angam fighters?

There was a popular folklore at the area. Once; a set of European soldiers (not exactly defined whether English or Dutch) were about to burn the Ambalama. But at the last moment one had noticed some carvings of Europeans among hundreds of wood carvings in the Ambalama. Having wonder on the same, the leader decided to give up destroying the building. But the real story behind the scene was that they had gone misunderstand on the dress (Saruwalaya) of “Angam fighters” in wood carvings as trousers. (Note: people who dress up in trousers were only Europeans those days). This might be a fiction. But the carvings of Angam-fighters are still there.

Have a safe journey!